Youth extends passion for horses to recruiting SPCA Angels

Sunday

Dec 23, 2012 at 3:15 AM

STRATHAM — The New Hampshire SPCA is thrilled to announce that ten year-old Declan Gregg of Greenland, now famous for his impressive work on horse slaughter prevention, has set his sights on benefiting his favorite horse, Scarlet, here at the New Hampshire SPCA as well as Scarlet’s brother Troy.

Declan began raising funds to be an Adoption Angel Sponsor for 1 ½ year old Scarlet, only about 10 days ago. Adoption Angels help support the day to day care and feeding of the animals, ensuring they have everything they need. Being a cat Adoption Angel is something that Declan and his brother Aiden have done for several years as a holiday gift to the animals. This year Declan set out to do more. He created a ChipIn on his blog http://children4horses.blogspot.com and he and Aiden contributed $60 of their own hard earned money. Since then, Declan has exceeded the $600 needed to be Scarlet’s Angel and has set a new goal of raising enough money to help provide much needed training for Troy, Scarlet’s older brother. Troy is a three year old Appaloosa, Bay and White. In order for Troy to move on to a barn of his own, he will need about three months of solid training and Declan is determined to get it for him.

Scarlet was born here at the NHSPCA in May of 2011 after her mother, Troy and several other horses we seized in a cruelty case.

In addition, Declan has challenged other children in New Hampshire to join him in becoming Adoption Angels for their favorite type of animal.

Kids can get involved for as little as $25.00 which sponsors a small animal for three months. Adoption Angels are available for small animals, dogs, cats and horses. Declan is determined to get 20 other children to also raise funds to become Adoption Angels for the animals at the NHSPCA. Supporters can view his ChipIn on his blog at http://children4horses.blogspot.com/ . This is Declan’s Christmas wish.

“We are so delighted to count Declan among the very good friends of the animals,” said Lisa Dennison, Executive Director of the New Hampshire SPCA. “He is a remarkable young man who is sure to continue to do amazing things in protection of animals. We extend our deepest congratulations to him as well for being recently Awarded 2012 ASPCA Humane Kid of the Year.”

After hearing about the inhumane and cruel practice of horse slaughter, now ten-year-old Declan decided that he needed to raise his voice. Declan started his own blog, Children 4 Horses, to spread the word about horse advocacy issues and worked diligently with the Million Horse March campaign to collect letters from children to inspire lawmakers to end the slaughter of American horses.

Declan’s dedication to horse advocacy brought him to the nation’s capital twice in recent months, where he represented over 1,000 children from the United States and abroad by presenting the letters to legislators in Congress. While in Washington DC, Declan met with Congressman Frank Guinta of New Hampshire, where he shared his opposition to the inhumane treatment of horses and subsequently garnered the Congressman’s co-sponsorship of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S.1176/H.R.2966). Declan also joined forces with the “Horses on the Hill” campaign, speaking before celebrities, Congressmen and Senators to lobby against horse slaughter and advocate for the protection of horses under S.1176/H.R.2966.

In addition to his Washington visits, Declan testified at a hearing for a bill opposing horse slaughter at the New Hampshire State House in January. Declan’s blog, which been visited by individuals in more than 90 countries, provides commentary on horse advocacy issues and also includes horse poetry, horse news, photos, Declan’s artwork and stories about others who have made a difference helping horses.

The New Hampshire SPCA Adoption Center is open from 11 am – 4pm on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 am – 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday, and closed on Wednesday. For more information about the NHSPCA, visit www.nhspca.org or call 603-772-2921.